Expert: Kristy Lashbaugh - 8/29/2006

Question
I heard that it was composed of two short words and refers to a common practice of "workers with stone" Is this true? Emilie

Answer
I checked the Oxford English Dictionary and the Merriam Webster Dictionary and neither listed a definition derived from workers with stone, however, I did find a reference on Wikipedia.  I've copied and pasted the Wikipedia etymology for "sincere" below.  You can find this at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sincere

"An oft repeated etymology proposes that "sincere" derived from the Latin sine = "without", cera = "wax". According to this explanation, dishonest sculptors in Rome or Greece would cover flaws in their work with wax to deceive the viewer. The Oxford English Dictionary, however, deflates this charming etymology, sadly informing “There is no probability in the old explanation from sine cera ‘without wax’”. Instead, the OED explains "sincere" actually derives from the Latin sincerus meaning "clean, pure, sound.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary, http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE223.html the Latin word "sincerus" is derived from the Indo-European roots "sem" and "ker," generating an underlying meaing "of one growth," hence "pure, clean." Wax has nothing to do with it."